New to the trad way

[solobowhunter]

New guy here from SC.  I've been lurking here a while and finally took the plunge to join.  The information and knowledge here is immense and the fact people here are willing to share is absolutely awesome! Thanks to all!

My intro-I've shot compounds over 25 years.  Fast forward to today, now my son is 15 years old and grew up watching me in the back yard shooting my compound.  But....he didn't want to go that route, he wanted a more traditional bow.  So, we got him one off one of the auction sites about a year ago.
About 3 months ago, he really started shooting it in earnest.  As I have no knowledge on trad bow shooting, I decided to take him by a shop nearby where a very fine gentleman makes custom longbows.
After explaining our situation, he took my son and showed him what trad shooting is all about, from stance all the way to follow through.  He even let him shoot one of his custom bows.  Being the good dad I am, I just sat on a stump and listened.       What an experience!  He was willing to share his knowledge with complete strangers.  After just a few minutes I could see my son's form and groups get better and better.  When they were finished, the smile on my son's face said it all.
Then it happened.  He asked me if I wanted to give it a whirl.  I said,"Sure, but the last time a shot a recurve, I missed the whole target at about 10 yards."  He just laughed and said, "Give it a try."
Well, I did, and now I'm hooked.  Shooting a bow is now fun again!  But the thing I'm really enjoying, is me and my son are learning the trad way together.

[Night Wing]

I started out shooting recurves. Then as the years went by, found myself shooting compounds. But, there was something "missing" when I shot compounds. That "something" was serenity for me. Went back to shooting my recurves and it was like "coming home".

Been shooting shooting recurves for 48 years and still counting.

[ChuckC]

It is fun.  and addicting.  

Get yourself a bow and a bunch of arrows with hex heads or judos and take your boy out stump shooting or roving.  

I find that to be the absolute best fun with a bow.  Especially when you make it,  and keep it fun.  Try to eliminate getting mad at yourself or making excuses for missing. .   it don't matter. . . miss,  think about what happened, and try not doing that again.

ChuckC

[jcar315]

Welcome!!!

Kudos to you Sir for learning along side of your Son. No better way to do it!!

[wooddamon1]

Welcome!      I've been hunting with recurves and longbows for almost 20 years and it's still a blast. Have fun!

[macbow]

"Trad way" Keeping it simple and fun.
Like said above stump shooting and roving will help more with accuracy,and distance judging than any thing else and it's fun?
I like to take a walk with a tennis ball. Throw it out shoot it and follow it shooting where it lands.

[BRITTMAN]

Hunting with a trad bow is the ultimate hunting exprerance in my opinion

[Rooselk]

I think you'll soon find this trad thing is more than a mere hobby or pastime. It's an addiction, a state of mind, and a way of life all wrapped into one.

And welcome to the campfire.    

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Welcome, I put down the compound about 4 years ago and havent looked back. Trad is the way.

[STICKBENDER98]

Good for you, put a big smile on my face reading your post.  Congratulations to your son on bringing you over from the dark side    Hope you enjoy many years of shooting and hunting with your son, and welcome to the gang!

[KentuckyTJ]

Welcome from Kentucky!

[solobowhunter]

Thanks for all the replies!  I am really looking forward to learning traditional archery/bowhunting.  I surely can thank my son for that.  One thing I have learned already-this is definitely not something you pick up overnight.   I've gotten three books for us to read to help us on our journey: Become the Arrow (Byron Ferguson), Guide to Traditional Archery (Brian Sorrells) , and Hunting the Hard Way (Howard Hill).  I welcome any suggestions. Thanks again!

[Sam McMichael]

You will have a ball shooting trad. Shooting with your son will make it that much better.

[STICKBENDER98]

The Instinctive Shooting books by G Fred Asbell are good also.

[DannyBows]

Welcome to the campfire!        

[The Whittler]

Welcom from Maine.

[Green Mountain Boy]

You'll like it here, lots to learn and great folks to learn it from!

[MCNSC]

I second G Freds books, you can't go wrong with them.
Where in SC are you from?

[JamesKerr]

Welcome! Glad to hear you are deciding to go the traditional way of life.

[solobowhunter]

Near North Augusta in Edgefield County.